Adjustable disappearing-lug traction wheel



Nov. ll, 1930. v. c. HUENEMANN ADJUSTABLE. DIS`APPEARING LUG TRACTION WHEEL Filed May 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sheet 2 2 Sheetsv. c. HUENEMANN ADJUSTABLE DISAPPEARING LUG TRACTION WHEEL Filed May 2o, 19.29f

Nov; 11, 1930.

lsatented Nov. 11, 1930 PATENT FFC `VICTOR C. HUENEIIANN, OF-GARNER, IOWA ADJUSTABLE DISAPPEARING-LUG TRATION WHEEL Application led May 20, 1929. Serial No. 364,465. j

The object of this invention is to provide an improved type of construction for a traction wheel for tractors or agricultural machinery7 the wheel being equipped with traction lugs adapted for movement on radial lines and so arranged that they may be caused to project or be withdrawn relative to the rim oi the wheel during travel.

A further objectof the invention is to provide an improved construction for a trac tion wheel having traction `lugs or blades radially mounted therein and having eccentric means ior causing said blades to be projected at one partei' the periphery of the wheel and tobewthdrawn at another part of the periphery as the wheel revolves.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved traction wheel having eccentric means Jor `causing progressive projection and withdrawal oi' its traction lugs together with means for manually shifting the position or the eccentric devices w iereby an adjustment is made in the point at which the lugs are projected and withdrawn. j

Another and further object of the invention is to provide an improved traction wheel having double eccentric means for projecting and withdrawing its traction lugs together with means ier altering the relative positions of the two eccentrica, whereby their function oi' projecting andwithdrawingthe lugs is suspended andthe lugs are caused to remain stationary.

Still `another object of the invention is nto provide an improved traction wheel kept free from accumulations of earth on its rim by the use of a scraper.

lVith these and other objects in view my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts oi my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in` which:

Figure l is a side elevation illustrating my improved traction wheel so arranged that its lugs are projected at the lower part of the wheel i'or tractive purposes and withdrawn at the upper part oi' the wheel to permit the use oi a scraper.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the parts so arranged that the lugs are projected at the upperI part of the wheel and with drawn the lower part to provide a smooth surface 'for contact with a roadway or the like.

Figure 3 is a similar view illustrating still another position of the parts in which the traction lugs remain stationary and are projected uniformly throughout the periphery oi the wheel.

Figure 4: is an enlarged diametrical section through the wheel on the line l-a of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a detail section at the central portion of the wheel illustrating the position of the double eccentrics for that position of the parts illustratedin Figure l.

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the position of the eccentrics for that position of the parts illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure? is a similar view showing the position of the eccentrics i'or that arrangement of parts shown in Figure 3.

Figure S is a detail section on the line 88 of Figure d illustrating the slide bearing arrangement yof one of the movable traction lugs.

Figure 9 is a detail section on the line 9-9 of Figure 5 illustrating particularly the means `for holding the two eccentrics in one position of adjustment.

Figure l0 is a detail sectional elevation illustrating a slightly modified form of a por` tion of the wheel rim and one of the lugs.

Figure 1l is a detail section on the line 11-11 of Figure 1 illustrating one of the tractor or` of a'binder or other agricultural implement upon which my improved traction wheels are to be used. c

Carried by the frame 15 isan axle including VVatubular member 16' and a spindle 17 therein. 1t is to be understoodV that one of luy-improved traction wheels may be mounted at each end portion ofthe axle, but only Vone of these Wheels is here illustrated.`

An eccentric sleeve 18 is fitted to and mounted upon one end portion of the tubular axle member 16 and a second or outer eccentric sleeve 19 is fitted to and mounted upon the sleeve 18. The inner eccentric 18 has an inner periphery engaging the surface of the tubular member 16 andan outer surface which is eccentric to its inner surface. rIhe outer eccentric 19 has aninner cylindrical surface fitted to the outer surface vof the inner eccentric and has an outer cylindrical surface eccentric to its inner surface.

'The two-eccentrics preferably have the same degree of eccentricity.

The inner and outer eccentrics are'capable of being locked together so that their thick portions are on thesame side of the axle and the two eccentrics so locked togetherare capable of rotary adjustment on the axle so that the thick part is located either below the axle, asl illustrated in Figures 1, 4 and 5, or above the axle as illustrated in Figures 2 and 6.

Furthermorethe eccentrics are capable of being locked together so that their thick portions are arranged on opposite sides of the axle as illustrated in Figures 3 and 7.

At its inner end, the inner eccentric 18 is formed with a cylindrical extension 20, which has an outer surface concentric with the axle.l To the extension 2O is secured a manual controlling lever 21' bymeans of which certain adjustments of the eccentrics may be made. Any desired means may be employed for attaching the lever 21 to the extension 20, such,

for instance, as a set screw 22 or a key 23 or both. f

A suitable traction wheel is provided and islformed primarily of a rim 24, inner and outer hub members 25 and 26 and inner and outer sets-of spokes 27zand 28.

1n this instance the inner hub member 25 is rotatably mounted on the tubular extension v2O while the outer hub member 26 is mounted directly on the outer end portion of the spindie 17; and is heldin placey by means of a nut 29. Itis to beunderstood that any suitable method of mounting the wheel for rotation may be employed, but the method here shown permits the connection of the controlling lever 21 to the eccentrics by way of the tubular extension 20.

The wheel rim 24 is formed with a plu-V rality of ltransverse slots 30 equally spaced apart circumferentially. To strengthen the wheel it is desirable to form the rim 24 with radially directed peripheral flanges 31.

Arranged for Vsliding movement through eachof'the sl-ots'() of the wheel rim is a traction lug or blade 32. To furnish suitable slide bearings for'theslidable lugs 32 1 prefer to employ wooden blocks 33 and 84, after the manner shown in Figure 8. These wooden bearing membersmay be impregnated with oil and they serve to protect the blades, to strip dirt therefrom, and also to deaden the noise of their movement. The blocks' 33'and 84y may be held in place by Z-shaped securing strips 64 and 65 bolted or riveted to the wheel rim as shown iny Figure 12. f

The traction lugs 32 are: pivotally con-` nected by means of arms 35 toa rim memperipheral flanges 40 between'rwhich the rimV member 36-.is mounted. This serves to hold these parts in their proper relative positions.l

The flanges at one end of each eccentric are separately formed to permit removal and replacement, and are designated at 39 and 40 f respectively. rilhey are held in place by counter sunk screws 62. l

The` outer surface of the inner eccentric lsleeve 18 is formed with a longitudinal keyway 41 and the inner surface of the outer eccentric 19 is formed with two diametrically opposite keyways 42 and 43. These keyways are adapted to receive a key 44 to lock the two eccentrics together in either of two positions. l Y

The normal position or arrangement of the eccentrics is the one illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, in .which the thick parts of both eccentrics are arranged on the same side of the axle. In this position use is made of the eccentrics to provide a doubly eccen-f tric arrangement of the rim member 36 relative to the axle,'and this eccentricity may be disposed-below the'axle as in Figure 5 orl above `the axle as in Figure 6.

The position of eccentricity below or above the axle is determined and controlled by the position of the hand lever 21 which is ca# pable of moving through an arc of nearly onel hundred eighty degrees. One position of the' lever 21 is `shown lin lF igure l andthe other position is shownin Figure' 2.

ro hold un levee 21 .in either or` as posi! their thickened portions on thc same side of the axle, Athe eccentric arrangement of the rim member 3Gthus produced will cause the lugs 32 to be shifted radially relative to the rim 24 of the Wheel. In other Words, the lugs will be projected or pushed outwardly nrofrressivel tlirouv'hout one section of the Wheel and Will be Withdrawn or pulled in progressively throughout the remaining section of the Wheel. A

The position of the double eccentrics,

either below the axle `as shown in Figure 5,

r above it as in'Figure 6, will determine Whether the projecting lugs will be at the bottom part of the Wheel as shown in Figure l, or at the upper part as shown in FigM ure 2. j

lt Will be noted that when the hand lever 2i is in engagement With the rearmost latcliing lug as shown in Figure l, the double eccentrics are below the axle; and that when said lever is in engagement with the foremost iatching lug as shown in Figure 2, the double eccentrics are above the axle.

any desired means may be employed for causing the rim member 36 to rotate with the Wheel. In this instance I have shown the rim member as formed with a radially projecting arm 48 which is formed with a iongitudinal slot 49 to receive a rivet or the like 50, carried by one of the spokes 2S of the Wheel.

lt will be apparent that the eccentric mounting of the rim member and its conjunctive rotation with the Wheel Will cause the lugs 32 which are diametrically disposed relative to each other, to be arranged eccentrically relative to the rim 24 as shown in ure 4.

ln other Words, taking the position of parts as shown in Figures l and 5, those lugs 32 on substantially the lovver half of the Wheel will be caused to project through the slots 8O and beyond the rim, While those lugs on the remaining portion will be partly or entirely Withdrawn Within the rim. The projecting lugs at the lower part of the Wheel will, of course, be useful for tractive purposes in the ordinary manner.

To facilitate the operation of the sliding lugs, it may be desirable to employ coil springs, such as 51, each having one end fixed to an intermediate part of one of the .ugcarrying arms 35, and the other end attached to a convenient part of the rim 24. These springs also serve to hold the lugs 32 against one side of the slide bearings.

rfaking the position of the parts as shown in Figures 2 and 6, it Will be apparent that the sliding lugs 32 `are caused to project through the slots 30 throughout substantially the upper half of the Wheel While those at the remaining portion aro entirely Withdrawn Within the rim. This `provides a smooth surface for that portion of the rim contacting with the road surface, Which may be desirable at times when traveling over pavements or other surfaces.

It may be desirable at times to employ a scraping device for removing accumulations of earth from the rim of the traction wheel, and this is made possible under the conditions illustrated in Figure l by applying the scraper at the upper part of the Wheel Where the lugs are Withdrawn.

For this purpose a bracket 52 is mounted on the frame l5 and carries a pivot-ed arm i scraper shaft 54 is pivoted in the free ond portion of the pivoted arm 53 and a scraper blade is rigidly attached to said shaft. It

is adapted to hare one edge in engagement with thesurface of the rim 24. Fixed to the scraper shaft 54 is a lug 56 to which a coil spring 57 is attached, said spring having its opposite end fixed to the frame at a position forwardly of the scraper.

When the pivotcd arm. 53 is placed in the position shown in Figure l, in which it projects rearwardly from the bracket the spring 57 acts to hold the scraper blades in cont-act With the rim ofthe Wheel. l he scraper blade then serves `to remove accumulations of earth or other substance from the rim.

Then the parts are arranged as shown in Figure 2, so that the lugs are caused to project at the upper part of the wheel, it will be obvious that the scraper can not be used. To place the scraper in inoperative posA ion, the pivoted arm 53 may be swung upwardly and forwardly through an arc. Wthen the arm has passed beyond t-he center, the spring 57 serves to hold the scraper blade in inoperative position. This position of the parts is shown in Figures 2 and 3.

1t Will be noted that a traction Wheel construction in accordance with my invention is capable of being used either with or without the traction lugs; that is to say, the traction lugs may be arranged in operative position or in inoperative position for tractive purposes. The only action necessary to change the parts from operative to inoperative position of the lugs is to move the lever 2l manually through an arc from the position shown in Figure l to the position shown in Figure 2,`thus carrying the locked-together eccentrics from the position shown-in Figure Y A to that-shown in Figure 6.

Varranged with thickened portions on opposite sides of the axle. Inasmuch as the eccentric sleeves have the same degree yof ecentricity this arrangement .will position the rim member 36 concentrically with,y respect to the When the parts are in this position, the rim member 36 will rotate with the wheel without causing any shifting movement of the tract-ion lugs 32, which will be held constantly in the position shown in Figure 3, wherein they each project substantially one half their length beyond the rim of the wheel.

To place the parts in this position, it is necessary to withdraw the key 44 andrrotate one of the eccentricsthrough an arc of one hundred eighty degrees relative to the other, to the position shown in Figure 7. The key 44 is then caused to enter the keyway 41 of the inner sleeve and the keyway 43 of the outer sleeve, rather than the keyway 42 in which it had been previously located. To hold the key 44 in place, I have provided a spring latching member 58 which is vpivoted at one end on the outer end of the inner sleeve 18 at the point 59. The latching member 58 is normally placed in such position to overlie the outer end of thev key 44, as shown in Figures 5 and 9. Y

To assist in rotating one eccentric relative to the other I have provided holes 63 in the loose eccentric 19, to receive a tool, not shown.

The parts may beeplaced in this neutral position at such times as it is. desired to employ a medium degree of tractive assistance throughout the periphery of the wheel or when it is desired to minimize wear on the moving parts by eliminating sliding movement of the lugs.

At times it may be desirable to provide the wheel rim with a central Vrib to aliord additional strength to compensate for the portions removed iii forming the slots 30, or for other reasons. p

This modified form is illustrated in Figure 10 in which I have employed the numeral 24 to designate the wheel rim and the numeral 60 to designate a rib extending circumferentially at its median line.

VVThe rib 60 is continuous and for this reason it is necessary to form a slot 30 at each side thereof, in line with each other. The traction lugs 32 are formed with central notches 61 opening to their outer ends topermit the lugs to pass beyond the rib 60.

v It is obvious that various changes and modications may be made in the various parts pris'ing an axle, a wheel ymounted for rotation relative thereto, an eccentric sleeve on said axle, a second eccentric sleeve-mounted on the first eccentric sleeve, a rim memberV mounted on the second eccentric sleeve,

means for causing said rim member to rotate with the wheel and at thesame time permitting radial movement relative thereto,

traction lugs spaced circumferentially of the rim of the wheel and connected with said rim member, means fork locking the eccentric sleeves together with their thick parts on the same side of the axle, whereby the rim member is kheld eccentrically vrelative to the` axle and the lugs are caused to be progressively projected and withdrawnas the wheel revolves, and means for locking the eccentric sleeves together with their thick parts on opv posite sides of they axle whereby therim member is held concentrically of the axle and the sliding operation of the lugs is suspended.

2. A device of the character described coniprising anaxle, a Wheel mounted for rotation relative thereto, an eccentric sleeve on Said axle, a second eccentric sleeve mounted on the lirst eccentric sleeve, a rim member mounted on the second eccentric sleeve, means for causing said-rim member to rotate with the wheel and at the same time permitting radial move- Vment relative thereto, traction lugs spaced circumferentially of the rim of the wheel and connected with said rim member, means for locking the. eccentric sleeves together with their thick parts on the same side of the axle, whereby the rim member is held eccentrically relative to the axle and the lugs are caused to be progressively projected and withdrawn as the wheel revolves, means for rotatably adjusting the locked-together eccentric sleeves on the axle to govern the position at which said lugs shall be projected, and means for locking the eccentric sleeves together with their thick parts on opposite sides ofthe axle whereby the rim member is held concentrically of the axle and the sliding-operation of the lugs is suspended'. Y l

Des Moines, Iowa, April 9, 1929; VICTORV C. HUENEMANN. 

